Frame-latch for bags, purses, &amp; c.



No. 675,242. Patented May 28, I9`0I. L. B. PRAHAR. FRAME LATCH FOB BAGS, PURSES, &c.

(Application Bled Dec. 7, 1900.)

(No Molliel.)

w/T/vEssEs A TTOHNE Y S UNITED STATESA PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS B. PRAl-IAR, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FRAME-LATCH FOR BAGS, PURSES, 84C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,242, dated May 28, 1901.

Application filed December 7, 1900. Serial No. 39,074. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, it muy concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS B. PRAHAR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of-NeW York, have invented a new and Improved Frame- Latch for Bags, Purses, &c., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a locking device for single or double frames for bags,'purses, satchels, and the like which will be an improvement upon the construction set forth in the Letters Patent granted to me August 7, 1900, No. 655,512, and to sov construct the locking device that it will be simplified in construction and be rendered more adaptable to the frame of pocket-books and similar small frames, enabling the members of a frame to be unfastened either by rocking the locking device in one or the other direction on the frame or by drawing the locking device outward, the locking device when relieved from tension being always in position to latch the members of the frame to which it is applied.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bag or satchel frame, illustrating the application of the improvement thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a portion of the said frame and a vertical section through the locking device applied thereto. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken practically on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing the members of the frame closed and locked in closed position. Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4, illustrating, however, one' member of the frame .in an open position. Fig. 6 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 2, illustrating a slight departure in the manner in which the attachment is made to the frame; 5o and Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the frame of a pocket-book having the improvement applied, the members of which frame are shown locked.

The frame is made of three members-a central member andtwo side members-andwhen the frame is to be applied to a bag, Satchel, or the like the central member A and the side members B are constructed as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. When the frame is to be applied to a pocket-book, the central member A and the side members B are constructed as shown in Fig. 7.

With reference to the construction of a frame adapted for application to a bag or Satchel the side members B are pivoted to the bottom portions of the central or body member A at its lower ends, as shown in Fig. 1, when the frame is made up of three members, and each side member, at the center of its upper portion, is provided with a lug 11, which lugs are adapted to enter recesses 1,3, made in the upper central portion of the side edges of the main or body member A, one at each side. The central or body member A is provided with a central longitudinal rib 12, which rib is usually produced by striking up the metal of the central or body section A from the inside, and this rib is usually semicircular in cross-section, as is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5; but the cross-section of the rib may be varied. This rib 12 may extend from end to end of the central or body section A of the frame, or it may extend a given distance beyond each side of the center of said body-section, or, as illustrated in Fig. 6, a rib member 122L may be attached to the iiat upper surface of the main or body section A or other section of the frame, extending beyond each side of the upper central portion of said section, and under this construction a chamber 12b is formed. Further, under this construction a lock or latch may be made capable of attachment to any article. Y

A cap or catch-button O is used in connection with the main or body section A of the frame, and when the frame is to be used in connection with a bag or Satchel the cap or catch-button is constructed as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4,. 5, and 6, in which the button is of cylindrical shape and is provided with an interior chamber 15, extending through the bottom of the button. At diametrically oppo- IOO site sides of the said catch-button, at its bottom, recesses 16 are made, which neatly iit over the rib 12 and permit said button to have a rocking movement on the rib, while the rib serves to prevent the button from being turned. At the central portion of the rib 12 a transverse slot 14 is made therein, as is A shown in Fig. 3, and when the catch-button C is placed in position it is centrally located over the said slot. A pin 17 is passed through the catch-button C and through the chamber 15 therein and likewise through the slot 14 in the rib 12. The upper end of this pin 17 is usually provided with a head, and the lower end of the pin 17 is riveted or otherwise secured to a spring 18, and when the construction of the frame is such as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 the spring 18 is littedin a concavity formed in the bottom of the central or body member of the frame by striking up the rib 12. The ends of the spring are curved and have bearing against the upper wall of the channel or groove in which it is placed, while a certain amount of play is allowed between the said upper wall of the channel or groove and the central portion of the spring, or that portion to which the pin 17 is secured. Y

The inner faces of the lugs 11 are beveled to a greater or less extent, so that when a side member B of a frame is closed against the central or body m'ember A the lug belonging to the said member by engagement with the lower portion of the catch-button will rock the catch-button to one side and enter the chamber 15. As soon as the catch-button rights itself it will lock the lug in place, as shown in Fig. 4. When a side member of the frame is to be opened, the catch-button may be drawn upward, thus taking it out of locking engagement with the lugs 1l, enabling both side members to be carried out from the body member A; but if only one side member B is to be opened the catch-button is rocked from the said member, thus releasing the lug 11 of the side member of the frame it is desired to open and permitting the said member to be drawn from the body member or to drop therefrom through gravity.

It will be observed that the catch-button cannot turn on its support, but that it can be rocked to either side of the support. IVhen the rib 12 is added to the flat frame, as shown in Fig. 6, the spring 18 is placed in the chamber 12b, formed by the addition of the said rib 12".

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated the adaptation of my improvement to a pocket-book frame, in which A represents the main or body member, constructed as has been described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and B' two side members. Each of these side members is provided with a lug 11a, and these lugs are adapted to enter recesses in the flanges or side edges of the main or body member A. Vhen the side members of this form of frame are in closed position, the lugs 11 are held in the recesses of the body member A by the cap or catch-button C, which in this form of frame consists of an arched top portion 19, conforming to the exterior contour of the rib 12 of the body member A', and side iianges 20, which extend beyond the body and are shown returned inward, and the inner edges of these side flanges 2O by engagement with the lugs 11 serve to hold the side sections B of the frame closed. It will be understood that the return portions of the flanges may be dispensed with, as holes or recesses may be made in the Iianges instead for the reception of the lugs. A pin 17 is passed through the top portion 19 of the modified form of catch-button shown in Fig. 7, and this pin is connected with a spring 18, which lies in the groove or channel formed by striking up the said rib, and the action of the spring 18 is identical with the action of the spring 18, heretofore described. Either of the side sections of this modified form of the frame may be opened by drawing outward the catch-button applied to the frame or by rocking the said catch-button on the frame.

I desire it to be understood that the frame may be made in two or more sections and that the latch may be secured to any section that is most convenient, and, further, that the lock or latch may be so made that it may be secured to any objects and operate as described. XVhen the frame consists of but two pivoted members, the chamber to receive the spring may be struck up from either member.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a frame for bags, satchels and pocket-y books, the combination with a frame having a longitudinally-extending chamber in its body member and a lug on a hinged member, of a chambered button, a pin secured to the button, and having its inner end extending loosely through the wall of the chamber into the same, and a bow-spring arranged in the chamber of the frame and to the center of which the pin of the button is secured, as set forth.

2. In frames for bags, satchels and pocketbooks, the combination of a main section, side sections hinged thereto, the side sections having lugs arranged to enter recesses in the main section, the main section being provided with a longitudinal projection on its outer face, located between the said recesses, a spring located beneath the said projection, a catch-button mounted to rock upon said projection, a connection between the catch-button and spring, said catch-button being capable of an outward as well as a rocking movement, and means, substantially as described, for preventing the catch-button from turning, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In frames for bags, satchels and pocketbooks, the combination of the sections of the frame, which sections have pivotal relation IOO IIO

with reference to each other, one section being provided with a longitudinal projection on its outer face, said section having a recess in alongitudinal edge between its ends, a lug on the opposing section of the frame adapted to enter said recess, a spring located beneath the said projection, a catch-button mounted to rock upon the projection, a connection between the catch f button and spring, said catch-button being capable' of outward as well as a rocking movement, and means, substantially as described, for preventing the catch-button from turning, as set forth.

4. In aframe for bags, satchels and pocketbooks, the combination with a frame having 

